Carbon-roll billing-platen for type-writing machines.



No. 705.524. Patented July 22, I902 n. JLnsuEasL-n. n. STACKPOLE.

CARBON BOLLBILLING P,LATEN vFUR TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

. .g 'umion filed May 23, 1901.; (No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet l,

No. 705,524. Patented July 22, I902.

R. J. FISHER & R. D. STACKPULE.

CARBON ROLL BILLING PLATEN FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

(Application filed M 23, 1901.;

(No Model.) 1 5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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No. 705,524. Patented July 22, 1902.

R. J FISHER '& R.- D. STACKPOLE. CARBON ROLL BILLING PLATE" FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

(Application flled'lly I8, 1901.) lo mum.) 5 Shasta-Sheet 3.

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- No. 705,524. Patented My 22, I902. R. .I. nsusa & n. n. STACK-POLE. CARBON BOLI. BILLING PLATEN FOR TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

(AppIicat ion filed ma 23, 1901. r

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n. J. FISHER & R. n. STACKPOLE. CARBON ROL L BILLING PLATEN FUR TYPE WRITING MACHINES.

(Application filed May 23, 1901.)

5 SheetsSheet 5.

(N0 Moder.)

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UNITED STATES! PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT JOSEPH FISHER, OF ATHENS, TENNESSEE, AND RALPH DOW STACKPOLE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,ASSIGNORS TO THE FISHER BOOK TYPEWRITER COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPO- RATION OF DELAWARE.

CARBON-ROLL BlLLlNG-PLATEN FOR TYPE-WRITING MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 705,524, dated July 22, 1902.

Application filed May 23, 1901. Serial No. 61.566. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that We, ROBERT JOSEPH FISHER, residing at Athens, in the county of McMinn and State of Tennessee, and RALPH DOW STACKPOLE, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, citizens of the United States, have invented a new and useful Carbon-Roll Billing-Platen for Type- Writing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of typewriting machines which print upon a sheet in a flat or spread-out condition. Machines of this type are associated with a flat platen for the support of the sheet or work, the platen being usually stationary and the machine proper being movable thereover both laterally and longitudinally.

Primarily the present invention has special reference to the improvement of the fiat platen by the equipment thereof with novel means for facilitating manifold printing of that character which is essential for commercial billing purposes.

To this end the invention has in view the provision of a platen attachment adapting the same for practical use for general billing purposes, particularly in connection with folded bills or bill-blanks, the fold ed portions of which constitute original and copy sheets. This contemplated use of the platen is, however, one of many to which the present invention renders the platen particularly applicable.

The invention is a development or advance of the art as exemplified in the application for patent, No. 52,213, of Charles F. Laganke and Ralph D. Stackpole, wherein is disclosed a platen equipped with a work-holding frame movable toward and away from the platen and having means for supporting the carbon and the work-sheet in that relation necessary to the manifolding of the printed matter. The Laganke Stackpole application illustrates the work-holding frame as a part of a frame structure designed both as a workholder and as a support for the traveling printing mechanism, and an incident of the construction shown in said application is the hinged mounting of the rail-sections included as parts of the work-holding and supporting frame. While that construction is highly efficient and may, indeed, be preferable under some conditions, the movable mounting of the tracks serves to render the printing mechanism liable to more or less jar when the machine is rapidly moved to and fro upon the tracks unless the joints between the fixed and movable track-sections are kept perfectly true. Furthermore, the tracks are apt, at least after continued use, to have slight movement, which is calculated to produce slightlateral movementof the machine-frame. Thisis undesirable. The combining of the work-holding and machine-supporting elements in a single frame also increases the Weight of the parts to be raised and lowered for the purpose of displacing and replacing the work-sheets. This fact necessitates either the more or less laborious manipulation of the frame bythe operator or the employment of special mechanism for elevating the frame structure when the machine is moved to its inoperative position. Another feature of the Laganke-Stackpole construction resides in the mounting of carbon-carriers at -or adjacent to the opposite ends of the printing area, one of these carriers being mounted for movement with the Work-holding and machine-carryingframeand the othercarrier beingmounted in bearings carried by the platen. These carriers serve to sustain the intermediate portion of the carbon element or web in proper position over the Writing-surface; but it will be evident that when the frame is raised the carbon will have a tendency to sag or slack. All of these characteristics, to which slight objections can be raised, as noted, are inci-. dental to the production of a highly efficient platen, and therefore while the fundamental characteristics of the Laganke -,Stackpole platen are not departed from it is the purpose of the present invention to produce a platen of novel construction which while possessing all of the advantages of the Laganke- Stackpole platen will avoid those characteristics thcrcofwhich are open to the several objections recited.

To this end the invention comprehends the equipment of a flat platen with rigidlymounted rails for the support of the traveling printing mechanism and with a work-holding frame mounted between and independent of the rails and movable toward and away from the platen to present the work in its proper printing position and to remove it therefrom after the work has been completed and the machine has been moved to its inoperative position at the rear end of the platen. This work-holding frame is provided with holding and guiding means for the work and also with holding and guiding means for the carbon element and is distinguishable from the Laganke-Stackpole construction by the provision of carbon-carriers preferably in the form of delivering and receiving rolls or spools, both of which are mounted for movement with the work-holder frame, so that when the latter is elevated both carriers will have such movement as will prevent the sagging or slacking of that portion of the carbon which extends above the printing area or writingsurface.

The invention also resides in the novelconstruction of the work-holder frame to secure a maximum rigidity and durability thereof and in the provision of means for effecting such slight lateral adjustment of the workholding frame with respect to the platen as is required to secure the accurate setting of the work-holder with respect to the scale of a type-writing machine, it being evident that these platens are designed for interchangeable use in connection with different machines, and as the registering-points of the machines vary slightly it is intended to adjust the work-holder within the limits of, say, a tenth of an inch to insure the starting of different machines at exactly the same point.

The invention resides, further, in the novel mounting of the work-holder frame, which effects the counterbalancing of the latter, so that while it is designed to be raised or lowered by the operator this movement may be effected by a light touch and without such sudden movement or jar as is objectionable in the constant manipulation of these moving parts.

Various other objects, advantages, and structural novelties will appear during the course of the succeeding description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, which we have illustratedinthe accompanyingdrawings and which is embraced within the scope of the appended claims.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of a carbon-roll billing-platen constructed and equipped in accordance with our invention and showing the position of the carbon element or web. Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the subject-matter of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a central longitudinal sectional view ofv the platen on the line 8 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. at is a similar longitudinal section on the line t tof Fig. 2, the elevated position of the workholder frame being indicated in dotted lines. Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional elevation 011 the line 5 5 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view on the line 6 6 of Fig. 2 and showing the work-sheet in position. Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view on the line 7 7 of Fig.3. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the cover-plate detached, showing the gage-pins and spring-clips designed to facilitate the positioning and retention of an envelop in the printing position. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a work-holder or work-holding frame detached. Fig. 10 is a detail view illustrating the manner in which the front carbon carrier or spool is mounted upon the workholding frame, and Fig. 11 is a detail view of the retarding mechanism for the rear carboncarrier.

Like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings.

The various improvements constituting the subject-matter of the present invention are not necessarily restricted to use in connection with any particular type of type-writing machine, as they are obviously susceptible of adaptation for use in connection with any form of type-writing machine which includes in its general organization a printing mechanism traveling over a flat platen upon which the sheet is sustained in a flat or spread-out condition. However, in order to plainly set forth the construction, use, and mode of operation of the invention the several instrumentalities contemplated are shown in the drawings as associated with the form of platen ordinarily employed in connection with the Fisher type-writing machines, such as are now on the market and disclosed in the patents to R. J. Fisher, Nos. 562,625 and 573,868. This type of machine is generally intended for writing in books, on letter-sheets, and for making up records and reports, and when the platen thereof is equipped with work-holding and carbon-carrying means of the character to be described is especially adapted for printing upon folded or double bills, such as are used in commercial billing. The flat platen 1 may be of any usual form and size, but is preferably constructed, as usual, with a metallic or other suitable body 2, supported at the proper elevation by side walls 3 and provided upon the upper side thereof with the usual writing-surface4 to provide for the even support of the work placed thereon. The main tracks or guides 5 for the machine-frame (not illustrated) are rigidly secured upon the platen at or adjacent to the opposite longitudinal edges thereof, and the side walls 3 of the platen are preferably formed slightly below their upper edges with longitudinallydisposed grooves 6, which provide for the interlocking connection between the type-writing machine and the platen in a manner readily understood. At a point adjacent to IIO the rear end of the platen the latter is formed with a transverse opening of oblong form,constituting what may be termed a pocket 7 to permit the mounting of the work-holding frame 8 at a point below the surface of the platen. The work-holding frame 8 in the present construction is separate and independent of the rails 5 and comprises a pair of side frames rigidly connected and held in spaced relation by transverse brace-bars 9, 10, and 11. Each side frame of the workholder comprises a lower section or bar 12, disposed normally below the platen andhaving upstanding arms 13 and 14, located at the opposite ends of the writing-surface of the platen. The arms 13 of the side frames are preferably'located beyond thefront end of the platen,(see Figs. 1, 3, and 4,) and the arms 14 extend upwardly through the transverse opening, constituting the pocket 7, and the several upstanding arms'carried by the bottomsection of the work-holder constitute supports for the upper section or work-holderproper of the work-holding frame, which upper section is disposed to lie above the writing-surface and to sustain the work thereon in a manner to be described. This upper section comprises a pair of holding members or strips 15 and 16, disposed in parallel relation longitudinally of the platen and each supported at-its opposite ends by the arms 13 and 14 of one of the side frames. The work-holding members or strips 15 and 16, while de- I formed along its outer longitudinal edge with a bead 17, which renders the bill less liable to be torn as it is drawn against the strip and also constitutes an upstanding guide at one side of a supporting-ledge 18, so that the strip 15, while constituting supporting, guiding, and alining means for the work-sheet, is also adapted to support and guide orto protest one edge of a carbon element or web I) (see Fig. 1) in a manner tobe described. In

. fact, the strip 15, in so far as its relation to the carbon element is concerned, is designed, primarily, to protect the edge of the latter rather than to support and guide the carbon, although the latter function is within the purview of the invention. The fact that the car bon is held taut and is disposed over the platen practically insures its retention in its proper position; but whether or not the strip 15 sup ports and guides the edge of the carbon the latter is protected by the strip,so that when the paper is slipped under the carbon it willnot tend to mutilate the edge of the latter by coming in contact therewith. When the bill is tion in one aspect thereof.

placed upon the holding member 15, its upper l or lower edge, as the case may be, abuts against one of the laterally-disposed alining and abutting edges 15*, disposed adjacent to the opposite ends of the strip and ofiset beyond the outer edge thereof. (See Fig. 9.) The other work-holding member or strip 16, located opposite the member 15,-is preferably disposed closely adjacent to the left-hand guide or rail 5, and depending from the under side thereof are a plurality of gage pins or projections 19, disposed to be received in openings 20 in the platen. These gage projections or pins are designed to perform the dual functions of an abutment for one edge of the work-sheet to gage the position of the latter upon the platen and of work-engaging members designed to pass through the file- ,openings adjacent to the edge of the bill when work-sheets having such openings are intended to be printed upon. Ordinarily,therefore, the strip or member 16 is designed to clamp one edge of the work-sheet against the platen and the pins 19 are designed to act as an abut-- ment or to engage the sheet, as the case may be. It is evident, however, that if the dimensions of the sheet are not sufficient to permit its engagement by both the members 15 and 16 it will nevertheless be securely held in the printing position by the holding member 15, particularly if' the work-sheet is in the form of a folded bill, with the bight thereof in engagement with the outer edge of the workholding member or strip. If desired,the strip 16 may be provided at the outer edge thereof with an upstanding flange 21, which serves to lend rigidity or stiffness to the structure and is of sufficient height to come in contact with a part of the machine-frame as the latter is moved over the platen, the traveling printing mechanism serving in this connection to assist in the secure retention of the work-holder .in its fiat position upon the platen.

We now have a work-holding frame comprising upper and lower sections extending respectively above and below the platen proper and having members aggrouped in rigid relation, so that the frame as an entirety maybe moved for the purpose of moving the work-holding members toward and away from the writing-surface, accordingly as it is desired to present the work-sheet to the platen or to move it therefrom to facilitate the displacement of the work-sheet from the workholder and its replacement by a blank sheet or bill. This character of work-holding frame, considered as a platen attachment independent of the machine rails orv guides, is novel and together with its mounting comprehends a complete embodiment of the present inven- Therefore' before proceeding with a description of the provision forfsustainiug the carbon-carriers upon the frame we shall first describe the construction of the frame-mounting.

So far as the mere vertical movement of the frame is concerned the frame-mounting is susceptible of a wide range of variation and may be arranged in accordance with various well-known constructionssuch,for instance, as that shown in the Laganke-Stackpole application hereinbefore identified. It is desirable, however, to provide the work-holding frame with a special form of mounting, which will not only permit its vertical movement, but will also facilitate such slight lateral adjustment of the frame as may be necessary to secure corresponding relation of the workholder with different machines. It will of course be understood that the platens and machines are manufactured separately and the machines are subsequently fitted to the platens for use. Furthermore, it sometimes happens during the course of use that the machine must be removed from the platen for purposes of repair, for instance, and another machine must be substituted for the one so removed. Therefore as the machines vary within narrow limits their interchangeable use in connection with the platen makes it desirable to provide means which will enable the operator to time-up the machine within the limits of, say, one-tenth of an inch, so that difierent machines operating on the same platen would all stop printing at exactly the same point on the work-sheet as, for instance, at the same point in acolumn. This result is accomplished by providing the workholding frame with means for adjusting the same laterally to efiect a proper correspondence between the work-holding members and the scale of the printing mechanism or typewriting machine.

At the rear end of the frame the side portions or members of the latter are provided with inwardly-extending hubs or sleeves 22, encircling the rock-shaft 23 of the work-holding frame. The sleeves 22, which are rigid with the side members of the work-holding frame, are secured to the shaft 23 for movement therewith, as by set-screws 24:, and the shaft is journaled at its opposite ends in a pair of pendent bearing-brackets 25, secured to the under side of the metal base 2, immediately beyond the opposite ends of the pocketopening 7. The shaft 23 thus constitutes a hinge-support for the work-holding frame located at the rear end of the latter and in a plane below the platen,so that when the frame is swung down from its elevated position (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4) to its depressed position (shown in full lines in said figure) the work-holding strips or members 15 and 16 will lie flat against the writing-surface to retain the work.

In the constant manipulation of the machine the operator is compelled to raise and lower the work-holding frame a great many times, and it is consequently desirable both for the convenience of the operator and to minimize the wear on the machine that this movement of the frame be capable of accomplishment with very slight application of force and with little or no vibration or jar. To this end it is contemplated to provide means for c'ounterbalanc'ing the work-frame, so that the latter will be poised in any position to which it may be moved by alight touch. One form of such counterbalancing mechanism is shown in the drawings and preferably consists in mounting a pair of spiral springs 26 upon the shaft 23, adjacent to the sleeve 22, each spring having one end fixed to a setcollar 27 on the shaft 23 and its opposite end bearing against the rear end of the platen defined by the front side of the opening 7. These springs are preferably ofjust sufficient power to sustain the weight of the work-holding frame and its complementary devices, so that while the force exerted by the counterbalancing mechanism is not sufiicient to automatically operate the frame, it permits the actuation of the latter by the application of very slight force by the operator, a very light touch serving to throw the frame either to its elevated position to facilitate the removal of the work-sheet or to its depressed position after the printed work-sheet has been replaced by a blank sheet or bill. If desired, however, more powerful springs maybe employed for the purpose of securing the automatic elevation of the work-holder upon the release of the latter.

The lateral adjustment of the work-holding frame for the purpose heretofore stated may be accomplished in a number of ways, the one essential being such relative adj ustment of the work-holder with respect to the machine guides as will accommodate the slight'variations between the scales of different type-writing machines. This relative adjustment could be accomplished by providing for the lateral adjustment of the machine guides or rails with respect to the workholder or by the provision of means for adjusting the work-holding frame itself. The latter mode is considered at present to be preferable, because it is thought to be highly desirable to mount the rails 5 rigidly upon the platen. Therefore the bodily lateral movement of the work-holding frame 8 is secured by means of adjusting mechanism disposed to permit the shaft 23 of the frame to be shifted longitudinally. One form of this frame adjusting mechanism is illustrated more particularly in Fig. 5 of the drawings and comprehends an internally threaded bushing 28, receiving the reduced threaded end 29 of the shaft 23 and constituting a shiftable journal for the latter. The bushing 28 is fitted to turn in one of the brackets 25 and is formed with an annular flange 30, bearing against the outer face of the bracket and confined to prevent longitudinal movement of the sleeve by the head of the locking-screw 31, screwed into the outer face of the bracket. The outer faces of the screw 31 and bushing 28 are formed with diametrical kerfs or slots, as shown, for the reception of the end of a screw-driver or other implement designed to be passed through an opening 32, provided in the adjacent side wall 3 of the platen for that purpose.

tarding-springs 37, secured upon the supcarbon carrier, roll, or spool 36.

WVhen slight lateral adj ustment of the frameis necessary, a screw-driver or other suitable implement is passed through -the opening 32 into engagement with the bushing 28. The latter isthen rotated in the proper direction, and by reason of the threaded engagement between the shaft 23 and said bushing the shaft will be moved longitudinally and the work holding frame will be shifted laterally until the work-holding members thereof are in proper correspondence with the particular type-writing machine to be used in connection with the platen.

In the practical use-of a platen equipped with a Work-holder of the character thus far described the carbon web or element is susceptible of use in connection with carboncarriers or as a separate detached sheet. In the Laganke-Stackpole construction the location of a carbon-carrier upon the frame was contemplated, inasmuch as it was deemed desirable to have the carbon move away from the platen with the work,particularly where,

as in commercial billing, the manifolding is done in connection with a folded bill, the original and copy sheets of which are connected and disposed at opposite sides of the carbon. Such mounting of the carbon-carrier has been found in practice to be both effective and desirable, and the present invention therefore comprehends the carrying forward of this idea, so that the carbon will be wholly supported by the movable frame instead of having its opposite ends supported by the platen and frame, respectively. At the rear end of the'frame, therefore, its side members are extended to constitute supporting-arms 33, having their 'rear ends curved upwardly and provided with upwardly-opening notches 34 for the reception of the trunnions 35, formed at the opposite ends'of the The carrier 36 is designed to support the unused roll 37 of the carbon element or web 38, and therefore constitutes the delivering member of the carbon-supporting mechanism. The too-free rotation of the spool 36 is prevented by reporting-arms 33 and bearing against the outer ends of the trunnions 35, and additional retardingmechanism is preferably provided in the form of a knurled wheel 38, secured upon the spool at a point between the carbon-roll and the left-hand arm 33 and engaged by the -V-shaped end 39 of the spring-pressed retarding-dog 40, pivot-ally mounted upon the adjacent arm 33, below the spool and slightly in rear of the axis thereof. This location of the dog serves to prevent it from interfering with the displacement of the carbon-carrier fromthe supporting-arms and the replacement thereof by another carrier containing a fresh carbon element. The other member of say, the receiving carbon carrier, roll, or

"spoo141islocated at the front end of the frame 8, and the trunnions 42 thereof are received within upwardly-opening rests or roll-' supporting brackets 43, defined by the arms 13, and by the bracket-arms 44, extending upwardly'in divergent relation. to the arms 13 and connected by the transversely-disposed brace-bar 9 of the frameS, the bar 9 serving as a handle for the manipulation of the workholder frame. As clearly shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the front edges of the arms 13 are formed with corresponding notches or concavities 45, within which the trunnions 42 of the front carbon-carrier are held by swinging catches 46, pivoted at their outer ends, preferably, upon the outer faces of the brackets 43 and urgedinto engagement with the trunnions by springs 47. (See Figs. 4 and 10.)

By reference to Fig. 3 of the drawings it will be observed that the transverse bracebars 10 and 11 of the work-holding frame 8 are so disposed that when the frame is in its depressed position these bars will be located immediately beyond the opposite ends of the printing area of the platen and in position to act as guides for the carbon element or Web "38, passing over the Writing-surface from the guided at one edge by the work-holding men] her 15. As the carbon is used or worn it is fed forward and Wound upon the receivingcarrier 41 by rotating the latter through the medium of the knurled wheel 48, secured upon the extremity of one of the trunnions 42, and such rearward movement of the carrier 41 as might permit the slacking or sagging of the carbon is prevented by a pawl 49, pivoted, as, for instance, upon one of the arms 13 and engaging the teeth of a ratchetwheel 50, supported upon the trunnion 42 at the side of the frame opposite the wheel 48.

The usefulness of the retarding mechanism for the rear carbon-carrier and of the means for preventing rearward rotation of the front carbon-carrier'will appear when the action upon the carbon element of a rapid manipuered. The rapid raising and lowering ofthe frame and the frequent repetition of this operation tends, of course, to cause the sagging of that portion of the carbon element extending between the transverse guides 10 and 11, and this tendency will result in the objectionable slacking of the carbon in the event of either of the carbon-rolls being mounted in a manner to permit slight movement thereof on its axis as the frame is thrown to its elevated or depressed'positions. By providing the retarding and dogging devices described,

.lation of the work-holding frame is consid-.

however, the carbon-web is kept smooth and taut, and its longitudinal edge is prevented from being displaced from the supporting and guiding ledge 18 of the right-hand workholder 15.

In order to prevent the strain incidental to the contact of the work-holding strips or members with the platen from being sustained by the connections between these members and their supporting parts, the arms 13 are provided at the outer sides thereof ith laterally-extending stop-lugs 51, which contact with and rest upon fixed stops 52, projecting from the front end of the platen, and slight frictional resistance is preferably opposed to the'upward movement or displacement of the work-holding frame by making the stop-lugs 51 slightly'resilient and by disposing them for frictional contact with the end of the platen when the frameis depressed.

As best shown in Figs. 2and 6 of the drawings,itisalsocontemplated to equip the platen, at or adjacent to the front end thereof, with a frame-guide to prevent lateral vibration or displacement of the front end of the workholding frame. This guide is preferably constructed in the form of atransverseguide-bar 53, having terminal pendent guides 54, disposed against one of the adjacent faces of the side bars 12 and designed to be adjusted to accommodate the lateral adjustment of the frame and to be secured in their adjusted positions byabinding-screw 55, passingthrough a slot 56 in the bar 53 and screwed into the under side of the platen. In addition to the binding-screw 55 the guide-bar 53 is additionally guided in its movement by a pair of screws 57, screwed into the platen adjacent to the opposite ends of the bar and passed through slots 58 in the latter.

For the accommodation of the bars 12 of the work-holding frame when the latter is swung to its elevated position, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, the platen is cut away or recessed, as indicated at 58, (see Figs. 1 and 2,) and similar provision is made for the accommodation of the horizontally-disposed ends of the upstanding or vertically-disposed arms 13 and 14 of the frame, it being desirable to dispose these portions of the frame below the writing-surface, so that when the frame is depressed the only elements thereof located above the platen will be the workholding guiding and alining members 15 and 16. It is also contemplated to protect the front carbon-roll by a shield 59, secured at one edge to the extended front ends of the rails (or that portion of the platen structure immediately supporting the rails) and then bent under the front roll orcarbon-carrier and secured to the platen structure at a point in rear thereof. This shield serves to prevent the front carbon-roll from comingin contact with the clothes of the operator and at the same time forms a front-roll-receiving pocket 60 for the front roll, so that both the carbon-rolls are re taiued within pockets below the plane of the writing-surface. The platen as thus constructed and equipped constitutes a complete embodiment of the invention in so far as the swinging work-holding and carbon-supporting frame and its complementary devices are directlyconcerned. Theinventionhaswithin its purview, however, the provision of means for protecting the top edge of the work-sheet from contact with the machine-frame and the utilization of such means for holding an envelop or the like in the printing position, so that the machine may not only be used with facility in making out the bill and in providing a carbon copy thereof, but will also be equipped with means for facilitating the addressing of the envelop in which the bill is to be mailed.

The opening 7in the platen is covered and protected by a cover-plate 61, adjacent to the front edge of which are disposed a plurality of upstanding gage-pins 62, designed to constitute an abutment for the edge of the envelop 63, retained in position bylight springclips 64:, secured upon the cover-plate 61 adjacent to the pins 62 and arranged to grip the abutting edge of the envelop. (See Fig. 8.) Disposed over the cover-plate and extended sufficiently beyond the front edge thereof to cover the top edge of the work-sheet held upon the platen is a clamp-plate 65, hingedly mounted upon a transverse bar 66, located within the opening 7 below the writing-surface and also serving as a support for the clamp-plate-actuating lever 67, having a head 68 disposed in operative relation with the clamp-plate and provided with a cam end 69, projecting upwardly through and above the platen at the rear end thereof for actuation by the machine-frame to elevate the clampplate 65. The clamp-plate as such is not novel; but in the present invention it serves both as a clamp-plate and as a holding member for the envelop, since it is provided with openings 78 for the accommodation of the gage-pins 62 and is designed to depress the clip-springs 64 with more or less pressure upon the envelop to firmly position the latter and to also engage the envelop and assist in the retention thereof in its writing position.

From the foregoing it will appear that in the several aspects thereof the present invention has in contemplation the equipment of a platen with a work-holding frame having supporting and guiding means for a Worksheet and a carbon element mounted independently of the main tracks or guides for the machine and capable of movementtoward and away from the platen, the provision of carbon-supporting mechanism comprising a plurality of carbon-carriers supported by and movable with the work-holding frame, the aggroupment of the work-holding frame and carbon-carrying mechanism in a manner to cause the delivery and receiving carboncarbon element upon a work-holding member disposed above the writing-surface, the equipment of a work-holder of the character described with means for effecting its lateral adjustment to facilitate the interchangeable use of different type-writing machines with tion upon the platen, and the utilization of various novel details of construction and arrangement incidental to the practical use of the platen as an entirety. It should therefore be understood that while the present embodiment of the invention appears at this time to be preferable we reserve the right to effect any and all changes, modifications, and variations which may be suggested by experience and experiment or may be desirable in equipping various types of type writing machines with the subject-matter of the invention, provided only that such changes, variations, and modifications are embraced within the scope of the protection prayed.

What. we claim is 1. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a flat platen, of the maintracks or guides, and a work-holder movable independently thereof toward and away from the writ-- ing-surface and having supporting means for the sheet to be printed on and also for the carbon element or web.

2. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the flat platen, of the main tracks or guides, a Work-holder movable independently thereof toward and away from the writingsurface and having supporting and guiding means for a work-sheet and for a carbon-Web, and shiftable supporting means for said carbon-web.

3. In a type-writing machine, the combination with theflat platen, of the main tracks or guides, a work-holder movable independently thereof and having means for supporting a folded sheet and a'carbon-web disposed between the leaves of said sheet.

4. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the flat platen, of the main tracks or guides, and a support for the edge of the carbon element or web, said. supportbeing disposed above the platen to form an abutment for the folded edge or bight of the bill or sheet, and mounted for movement independently of the main tracks or guides.

5. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the flat platen and the tracks, or guides, of a substantially counterbalanced work-holder mounted to sustain a work-sheet over the platen and movable away from the writing-surface independently of the tracks or guides. I

6. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the fiat platen, of a substantially counterbalanced work-holder disposed thereover and having supporting means for the sheet to be written upon and also for the carbon element or web.

7. In-a type-writing machine, the combination with the flat platen, of the main tracks or guides, and a substantially counterbalanced work-holder mounted between said tracks or guides and movable independently thereof.

8. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the fiat platen, of the main tracks ,or guides, and a substantially counterbalanced work-holder mounted between said tracks or guides and movable independently thereof, said work-holder having supporting means for the sheet to be printed on and also for the carbon element or web.

9. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the flat platen, of the main tracks or guides,anda vertically-swinging work-holder adapted to occupy a position beneath the printing mechanism and movable independently of said main tracks or guides, said work-holder being provided with means for supporting and guiding the work-sheet and the shiftable carbon-web.

10, In a type-writing machine, the combination with the flat platen, of the main tracks or guides, and a work-holder movable independently of said main tracks or guides and arranged over the platen to'position both a work-sheet and a carbon-sheet thereon, said Work-holder having means for alining one of said sheets and means for guiding the other sheet. I

11. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the fiat platen, and the main tracks orguides for the traveling machine, of a swinging work-holder frame disposed over the platen between said tracks or guides and comprising a pair of work-holding members connected at or adjacent to their outer ends and movable vertically independently of the the edge of the carbon sheet or web.

13. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the fiat platen, of the main tracks or guides, a work-holder movable independently of said tracks or guides and comprising a support, an alinement-guide, and means for supporting the edge of the carbon-web.

14. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the flat platen, of the main tracks or guides, and a Work-holder movable independently ofsaid tracks or guides and comprising a guide-strip having a laterally-disposed abutment for the edge of the sheet.

15. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the flat platen, and the main tracks or guides, of a spring-balanced workholder located between the tracks and movable independently thereof.

16. In a type-writing machine, the combi nation with the fiat platen, and the main tracks or guides, of a substantially counterbalanced work-holding frame located be tween said tracks or guides and movable independently thereof, and means for retaining the work-holding frame in its depressed position.

17. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the flat platen, and the main tracks or guides, ofawork-holding frame comprising work-holding members connected for movement in unison transversely of the platen, and means for moving the members laterally to effect the lateral adjustment of the frame.

18. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the fiat platen, of the main tracks or guides, a work-holder movable independently thereof, and arranged over the platen to position both a work-sheet and a carbonsheet thereover, said work holder having means for alining one sheet and means for guiding the other sheet, and means for effecting the lateral adjustment of said workholder to correspond with various type-writing machines.

19. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the flatplaten,of a work-holderdisposed thereover and havinga hinged mounting located below the writing-surface within the limits of the platen, and means for moving the work-holder laterally to efiect its lateral adjustment to correspond with various type-writing machines.

20. In atype-writing machine, the combination with the flat platen, of a work-holder, a rock-shaft therefor, and means for moving said shaft to effect the endwise adjustment thereof.

21. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a fiat platen, of a swinging workholder disposed thereabove, a rockshaft for said work-holder,and a rotary adjusting member having a threaded connection with the shaft to efiect the endwise adjustment thereof and the lateral adj ustment of the work-holder.

22. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the flat platen, of a swinging work-holder comprising holding members disposed over the platen, and supporting-arms therefor extending under the platen, said members and arms being connected in a rigid organization.

23. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the fiat platen, of a work-holding frame having a pivotal mounting below the plane of the writing-surface and comprising holding members above the platen, supporting-arms below the platen, and means for connecting the arms and holding members in a rigid organization or frame.

24. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the flat platen, of the main tracks or guides, and a work-holder provided with an upstanding flange disposed longitudinally of the platen for contact with the machine-frame mounted to travel over said flange.

25. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the main tracks or guides for the printing mechanism, of a work-holder vertically movable independently of the tracks or guides and disposed above the platen, and a carbon-carrier operatively related to said frame for movement therewith.

26. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the fiat platen, of the tracks or guides for the printing mechanism, a Workholding frame vertically movable independently of the tracks or guides, and a carboncarrier supported by the frame for movement therewith.

27. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the flat platen,and the main tracks or guides, of a vertically-movable work-holding frame independent of the tracks or guides, a carbon-carrier supported by said frame for movement therewith, and means for retaining the end of the carbon ata point removed from said carrier.

28. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the fiat platen. of the main tracks or guides, a vertically-movable work-holding frame disposed to retain a work-sheet upon the platen, and a plurality of carbon-carriers carried by and movable with said frame.

29. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the flat platen, of the main tracks or guides, a vertically-movable work-holding frame disposed over the platen and having supporting and guiding means for the edge of the carbon sheet or web, and carbon-carriers movable with said work-holding frame and constituting delivering and receiving members for the carbon.

30. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the flat platen, of the main tracks or guides, a work-holding frame disposed between and vertically movable independently of said main tracks or guides, and a plurality of carbon-carriers supported by and movable with the work-holding frame.

31. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the flat platen, of the main tracks or guides, a vertically-movable work-holding frame having means for supporting the edge of the carbon-sheet, and carbon-carriers supported by and movable with the frame, said carbon-carriers being located beyond the opposite ends of said carbon-supporting means.

32. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a flat platen, of a pivotally-monnted work-holder, and carbon-carriers supported by said work-holder at opposite sides of its pivot.

In a type-writing machine, the combination with the flat platen, and a movable work-holder disposed thereover, of carboncarriers located beyond the opposite ends of the printing area of the platen, and means for moving said carriers in opposite directions to prevent slacking of the carbon when the work-holder is moved.

34:. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the flat platen having pockets at the opposite ends of the printing area, of a carbon-carrier mounted in each pocket, said carriers being normally disposed in a plane below the writing-surface.

35. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the flat platen having pockets at theopposite ends of the printing area, of a work-holding frame disposed to retain a worksheet upon the platen, and carbon-carriers supported by and movable with the workholding frame and normally located in said pockets.

36. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the flat platen, and a swinging work-holding frame disposed to retain a worksheet thereover, of a carbon-carrier supported at the front end of the frame, and a shield for said carrier.

37. In a type-writing machine, the combination with a fiat platen, and a laterally-adjustable swinging, work-holding frame, of a frame-guide carried by the platen adjacent to the free end of the frame, and means for adjusting said guide.

38. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the fiat platen, of a verticallymovable work-holdin g frame comprising supporting members and work-holding members disposed respectively above and below the platen, and cooperating stop devices carried by the supporting members and platen respectively to relieve the holding members of the weight of the frame.

39. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the flat platen, of an envelop-retaining clip carried thereby, and a clamp-plate disposed to compress the clip upon the work and to also engage the work to assist in its retention.

40. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the fiat platen, of an envelop-retaining clip, a gage device to facilitate the positioning of the envelop, and a clamp-plate cooperating with said clip and gage device and disposed to compress the clip upon the work and to also engage the work to assist in its retention. I

41. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the fiat platen formed with a pocket, of a cover-plate disposed over the pocket and having gage projections and workretaining springs carried by the plate and designed to locate and retain an envelop in the printing position and a clamp-plate arranged to depress the springs upon the work.

42. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the fiat platen, of a cover-plate having alined gage projections, and work-retaining springs adjacent to said projections, and a swinging clamp-plate disposed above the cover-plate and provided with openings for the reception of the gage projections.

43. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the fiat platen having the workretaining springs mounted thereon, of the swinging clamp-plate adapted to compress the springs upon the work and to also engage work-holding frame arranged thereover and provided with a plurality of carbon-carriers, and means for guiding and protecting the edge of the carbon-Web.

46. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the. platen, the swinging workholder comprising an upper section made up of a pair of longitudinal side frames rigidly connected and held in spaced relation and constituting holding and guiding means for the work, and a lower section formed of Iongitudinal bars arranged below the platen and disposed in similar spaced relation to the frames, both the frames and the bars being connected so as to move in unison. 47. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the fiat platen, of the main tracks or guides, and a work-holder movable independently thereof and having means for supporting the sheet to be printed on and also for protecting the edge of the carbon element or web.

48. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the flat platen, of the main tracks or guides, and a Work-holder movable independently thereof and having means for supporting a folded sheet and for protecting the edge of a carbon-web disposed between the leaves of said sheet.

49. In a type-writing machine, the combination with the flatv platen, and the main tracks or guides, of a work-holder movable independently thereof and comprising a strip designed to constitute protecting means for the edge of the carbon element or web, and means for supporting said carbon element or Web in proximity to said strip.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our own we have hereto affixed our signatures in the presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT JOSEPH FISHER. RALPH DOW STAOKPOLE.

Witnesses for Fisher:

JOHN H. SIGGERS, FLORENCE E. WALTER. Witnesses for Stackpole:

M. I. CORBETT, N. G. SLATTERY. 

